Llamas treated like rockstars at Redlands Day Nursery

Like a scene out of a rock concert, preschool children of Redlands Day Nursery hooted and hollered as a large white trailer carrying two llamas arrived on scene Monday morning.

Voices of the more than 100-pupil population of the small preschool off Palm Avenue echoed as the two large animals - Bolero, 16, and Sapada, 7 - were being escorted onto campus.

The visit came after a week-long lesson plan on the animals taught by the nursery's education staff and was part of a promotional effort for the upcoming America's Family Pet Expo in Orange County.

Each time there is a special event at the Redlands nursery, the school tries to promote the activity through various lesson plans, said Becky Abeyta, event coordinator for the school.

Signs and llama displays were made last week by the children, and several books on farm animals were read by teachers and aides prior to the Monday visit.

"And they were really excited because they are learning about - because it's Springtime - farm animals," Abeyta said.

Rain and gusts of wind cut the presentation short, but the bad weather did not stop youngsters from petting the animals before they were walked back to their temporary home for a ride back to the Fur and Feathers campground where they reside.

"They felt soft. It was so awesome," said Lilyana Torres, 4. "I got to meet a llama before... but only got to feed it. "

When asked if she would want to pet a llama again, Lilyana nodded. "Oh, yeah. "

Tracey Wallace, owner of Fur and Feathers, which is in the San Timoteo Canyon in Redlands, said visits like Monday's are important to educate those young and old about farm life.

"It educates the kids, lets them learn more about farm life and all that because that's what a lot of the schools and fairs are taking out... so to me it's important to keep that in the school structures, fairs and all that," she said, adding the most asked question by young children is, "Do they spit? "

Fur and Feathers will be one of dozens of animal related organizations who will be a part of the OC Pet Expo which will take place April 19 through 21 at the OC Fair and Events Center in Costa Mesa. To learn more, visit petexpooc.org.